TITLE: We The People
AUTHOR: Debilyn Janota, St. Mary Grade School,
Stayton, Oregon
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 5-8; American History --
U.S. Constitution
OVERVIEW:
Learning about our American History and our United States
Constitution can be fun as well as educational. As a
teacher, I want these areas to become alive for my students,
to convince my students that everyday they are living a part
of history of our country and how these historical events
have effected their own lives. I do this by not only
lecturing, assigning paperwork but by various activities and
projects.
PURPOSE: Why do we need a government?
Lesson introduces the basic concept of the "natural rights"
philosophy. After the students recognize a need for
government and rules, the students will be asked to think
about the benefits and problems of living in a "state of
nature" where there are no laws or government. Comparing
their ideas with those of the English philosopher John Locke
and how his concepts are used in preparing a proper
government that protects the natural rights of an
individual.
NOTE: This lesson would take a few class periods. The
lesson you see is what I would do the very first day of
school to help establish classroom rules. I would continue
to cover concepts of natural rights, identify and state the
problems of a "state of nature" and conclude with a
recapitulation of what was covered and have them try and
apply some of these ideas into their daily living.
OBJECTIVE(s): At the conclusion of this lesson:
1. Students should be able to recognize the need for rules
and government.
2. Students should be able to explain the following terms
from the natural rights philosophy: natural rights,
state of nature, social contract and consent.
3. Students should be able to explain the problems that
come within a state of nature and their possible
solutions and compare their ideas with those of John
Locke.
4. Students should be able to explain how government and
laws can protect natural rights.
MATERIALS: student text, paper, pen
Time Required: 45 minute class -- first day of
school/opening day of class
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
Introductory Activity -- Who's the boss?
Objective: To recognize the need for government.
1. The teacher writes on the board: "This is a government
class. for the next 10 minutes, we shall explore
government."
2. Make no further comments. Answer no questions. At the
end of 10 minutes (or shorter, if the class becomes
chaotic), continue.
3. Give explicit directions as to:
Where they should sit
Lesson assignment -- book, pages, and so on
Students distribution of books (or other materials
to be used)
Reading assignment
Materials should:
a. define government as an institution that makes
and enforces laws at federal, state, and local
levels.
b. describe its function to maintain social order,
provide public service, provide security and to
make binding decisions.
4. Discuss by stating that they had a good example at the
beginning of class of what happens when there is no
direction, no authority, no one to make decisions, and
so on. (Let the class express feelings.)
Problem Solving: Work together in groups of 5. Answer the
following questions and be prepared to present your answers
to the class: (Grade 5 book, page 18 student text).
Questions:
1. What might happen in the classroom if there were no
rules or laws?
2. What might happen if there were rules and laws, but no
one to make sure people obeyed them?
3. What might happen if there were rules and laws, but no
one to settle disagreements about them?
4. Write five (5) rules for our classroom. (Keep in mind
these rules should benefit all and be accepted by the
majority).
The students will present and share their answers and using
question #4, work as a class to establish their classroom
rules. The time allotted here may have to extend to another
day. If the students could at least share their ideas,
think about them then come back and decide.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: My main purpose in using these books
and teaching about our American History and our United
States Constitution is to provide the students a chance to
want to study the subject further and to give them a sense
of pride in our American history and our past which leads to
our future. The students take a more active role in
learning when they are allowed to use the information given
to them and be able to actively use the lesson(s) right away
and see results.
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